A nurse is with an adolescent who reports nothing to live for and wishes to be dead. Which nursing action would be the priority?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A true psychiatric emergency exists when an individual presents with one or more symptoms associated with imminent risk for suicidal behavior. The first priority is to provide for the client's safety while initiating the least restrictive care possible. Staying with the client and further exploring the client's thoughts about suicide will enhance safety and allow the nurse to more thoroughly understand the extent of the client's suicidal risk. It would not be appropriate to leave the client alone while the nurse goes to talk with the psychiatrist. Seclusion would be used only as a last resort because it is a highly restrictive environment. Determining the client's beliefs about death would be a topic to be addressed much later in the process.

A Nurse Is with an Adolescent Who Reports Nothing to Live